Raymond F. Brichler, 82 years of Dover, passed away peacefully in his home the morning of February 7, 2025. Born in his home in New Alsace, Ray attended St. Paul’s Elementary School before graduating from Sunman High School. Ray had a laid back kind of style and a conversation and a smile for everyone he ran into. He loved to work and could never just sit still, he used these qualities to help others as often as he could. Therefore, everyone in town knew Ray because he was either involved in something or just stopping by to help.
Ray spent many of his years responsible for the maintenance at St. John’s Catholic Church in Dover. After retiring from Cincinnati Incorporated, he immersed himself in even more projects with the church. You could always count on Ray to be a chicken fryer at the festivals. And, you could also count on seeing Ray drive his tractor down Rt. 1 from his house to the church as he worked on clearing the woods, cleaning the pond, and then adding a fountain to the pond. When St. John’s refinished the bells, Ray climbed to the top to secure the ropes. He volunteered at the North Dearborn Pantry and served as part of the Honor Guard for the St. Joseph American Legion Post 464. At his home, Ray had a woodshop where he made everything from cabinets and bowls to toy boxes and bat houses. He was a man that didn’t know how to slow down so even his vacations were active. Camping was always high on his list and he enjoyed the family vacations to Disney and Colorado with the camper. Every year Ray looked forward to the elk hunting trip in Colorado with several friends where he would hunt with a bow. And, of course, he couldn’t miss the “golfing and bowling club” that met every Wednesday night at the St. Leon Tavern. Golf clubs and bowling balls were optional, but chicken and cold beers were required.
Ray will be deeply missed by Pat, his wife of 58 years; children David Brichler, Bobbi (Brent) Bauman, Renee Brichler, and Denise (Rodney) Retzner; grandchildren Kirsten (Adam Alford), Cameron, Sarah, Reese, Owen & Brody Brichler, Lindsey, Tyler, Damon & Austin Bauman, Justin, Ben, Dalton, & Matthew Retzner; great grandchildren Asher & Briar Alford; and sister Virginia (Bob) Howard. He is preceded in death by parents Caroline & Francis Brichler and siblings Thelma (Ken) Becker, Marilyn (Hob) Borchelt, Eileen (Pete) Giaccio, and Carol Brichler.
Services for Ray will be held on Saturday, February 15 at St. John’s Baptist Catholic Church of All Saints Parish located at 25743 State Rt. 1, Guilford, IN 47022. Rosary will begin at 8:45 am followed by visitation at 9:00am, until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30am. Burial in the church cemetery with military honors will immediately follow. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Support Groups of Southeast Indiana, North Dearborn Food Pantry, or Bright Life Squad. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.